ISPCC Annual Report 2005

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Company Limited By Guarantee) Cumann Na h-Éireann um Chosaint LeanbhaÍ Company Registered No. 15958 Registered Office: 20 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 Charitable Registration No: CHY5102 Bankers: Bank of Ireland, 2 College Green, Dublin 2 Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wilton Place, Dublin 2 Solicitors: Arthur Cox & Co, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 For confidentiiality, the pictures of children and parents used in this publication are posed by models or taken at actual ISPCC events. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Annual Report 2005 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ISPCC SERVICES, FUNDRAISING OR CAMPAIGNS CONTACT: The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 20 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 T: 01- 679 4944 F: 01 - 679 1746 E: [email protected] W: www.ispcc.ie CONTENTS Chairman’s Report Chief Executive’s Report SERVICES: Leanbh Review 4me Review Childfocus Review Childline Review FUNDRAISING: Fundraising Review FINANCE: Hon. Treasurer’s Report Analysis of Financial Activities 2005 Five Year Financial Summary Annual Accounts THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS, DONORS AND SPONSORS. BECAUSE OF YOU WE CAN PROMISE TO KEEP ON CARING FOR CHILDREN IN IRELAND Report of the CHAIRMAN As well as the main Board, there are a number of working Committees, including: Audit Committee: Mary Bennett (Chair), Therese Melia In my first year as Chairman of the ISPCC, I am very happy Bruce St. John Blake and Peter Ledbetter to report that 2005 was another good year for the Society in Remuneration Committee: Clodagh Kean (Chair) terms of performance and attainment of its goals. Pat Byrne and Anne Condon At the AGM in July 2005, “Citizen Child”, the Society’s new Membership Committee: Sharman George (Chair) five-year Strategy was launched. “Citizen Child” is a unique Cherry Brandon and Therese Melia document as it was compiled following a detailed national Patrons Committee: Anne Condon and Therese Melia. consultation process with staff, volunteers, supporters and most importantly, with young people themselves. The I would especially like to acknowledge, and thank most findings of this research indicate that the ISPCC is uniquely sincerely, the many hundreds of people who freely give their placed to monitor, evaluate, highlight and respond to the time and skills to the Society as volunteers. Without their changing landscape of childhood within Ireland. Through its talents and dedication, we simply would not be able to distinct range of services and commitment to consultation provide our distinct range of services to children. with young people, ISPCC will continue to exist to ensure I would also like to thank the countless individuals, schools, that all children are given the opportunity to experience love communities and corporations who raised funds and gave and happiness, to stop discrimination and exclusion of donations to the Society throughout the year. Their children, and to end cruelty and injustice to children. generosity enabled us carry out our work and has facilitated In 2005, there were many important developments, which our growth and development. There are many other people will help to stabilise and develop the Society in years to who share their expertise with the Society in a variety of come, so that we can continue moving towards the goals of ways, and we are indebted to them all. “Citizen Child”. Service delivery has now been streamlined To the staff of the ISPCC, under the astute leadership of our into four main service activities: Childline, Leanbh, CEO Paul Gilligan, I say a particular thank you for your Childfocus and 4me. We will continue to provide both commitment and dedication in dealing with issues that can, national and local services so that any child in the country at times, be traumatic and distressing. The professionalism can access a service directly. and skills each of you brings to these challenges epitomises In 2005, we continued advocating and campaigning for the mission of the ISPCC and its achievements over the children on a range of issues. Garda vetting, physical years, working on behalf of children. punishment, internet / mobile phone safety and youth justice This is an exciting time for the ISPCC and I look forward to were among some of the issues the Society commented on progressing the “Citizen Child” Strategy during 2006. I am during 2005 and these are issues that will remain high on confident that we can build on the successes of previous the agenda through 2006 and beyond. years, while pursuing our vision: to see an Ireland where The Board has worked very hard and achieved a lot once young people are loved, valued and able to fulfill their again this year. In particular, I would like to thank Mary potential as citizens. Bennett, who stepped down as Chair at the AGM in 2005 but who remains on the Board as Hon. Treasurer. Dan Flinter has remained on the Board as Hon. Secretary but also took on the role of Vice-Chair. To those Board members involved in major fundraising year after year, a special word of Pat Byrne thanks. All Board members contributed enormously over the CHAIRMAN year and I cannot thank them enough: Mary Bennett, Dan Flinter, Bruce St. John Blake, Cherry Brandon, Anne Condon, Caroline Downey, Judge John Garavan, Sharman George, Clodagh Kean, Therese Melia and Rose O’Driscoll. Report of the CHIEF EXECUTIVE During 2005, the ISPCC launched a new strategy called The continued involvement of the Society in campaigning “Citizen Child”. The strategy, developed through and lobbying on children’s issues and the building of more consultation with the Society’s key stakeholders, outlines robust child participation initiatives. the global vision, purpose, principles and goals of the The continued reinforcement of the Society’s fundraising ISPCC and identifies the key changes and challenges the structures, ensuring they are as efficient and effective as ISPCC believes are currently impacting on childhood. possible, and the continued strengthening of the Society’s The strategy highlights the Society’s objectives for the next governance structures. five years arising from these changes and challenges. The completion of an audit of existing service evaluative The key components of the “Citizen Child” strategy are that mechanisms and the commencement of the identification of every child who needs to will be able to access an ISPCC new qualitative evaluative systems. service, that technology has a key role to play in reaching out to and supporting children, and that volunteers CITIZENSHIP FOR ALL CHILDREN supported by professional staff are integral to ensuring that Ensuring an Ireland where all children are loved, valued and vulnerable children receive appropriate help and support. able to fulfill their potential as citizens remains a significant I am happy to report that over the last twelve months, challenge. Because of our independence, distinct range of substantial progress has been made towards achieving the services and commitment to consultation with young people, goals of the “Citizen Child” strategy. ISPCC is uniquely placed to respond to this challenge. It is a challenge that the ISPCC and its many supporters are HIGHLIGHTS OF 2005 committed to meeting. 2005 was notable for a number of key developments including: The adoption by the ISPCC Board of a five-year implementation plan for the “Citizen Child” strategy. The refocusing of the work of Society service staff on providing psychological and emotional support to Paul Gilligan children and parents and the establishment of six core CHIEF EXECUTIVE service bases. The enhancement of the Society’s four core services, Childfocus, 4me, Leanbh and Childline and the introduction of telephone, text and web support services into all of these services. SERVICES Working to ensure that every child has a safe, happy childhood Leanbh Protecting Children who beg & are at risk on the streets Leanbh works with children, It is envisaged that this is an area that will develop in the young people and their parents who coming year. are engaged or at risk of begging on The ISPCC is delighted to note that there was a significant the streets. decrease in sightings of children begging from 973 in 2003 / 2004 to 785 in 2004 / 2005. Links with An Garda Sióchana Leanbh is embarking on its ninth year of operation following have continued to grow through regular interagency eight successful years working with some of Ireland’s most meetings and training sessions with Gardai based in city vulnerable families. In 2005, the service has maintained its centre stations. The ISPCC and Leanbh would like to take focus on providing preventative, activity-based programmes this opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Gardai to and therapeutic interventions with the aim of providing the Leanbh service in trying to address the issue of children alternatives for children who fall directly under the remit of begging and at risk on the streets. The ISPCC would also being at risk on the streets. The Leanbh staff, and volunteers like to acknowledge the financial grant of €50,000 given to have provided therapeutic support to 71 children and the service by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law involved 65 children in once off day activities throughout the Reform during 2005. year. In addition, there were 132 parents/families who were Leanbh has become a multinational team with staff and provided with support in 2004 / 2005. volunteers from Ireland, Romania, Nigeria, Poland, France The mentoring service is going from strength to strength, and Spain. This has proved invaluable in working with some linking children into structured activities and providing them of our children and young people who utililised the service with a positive role model, all of which seeks to build their and it has enhanced our capacity to work with minority self-esteem and eliminate begging by providing alternatives.

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